CHAP 2

• Science, technology, and human flourishing
• Science as method and results
• Science as a social endeavour

  Due to inconclusiveness of the methodologies, new school of thought on the proper demarcation criterion of science emerged. Several philosophers presented an alternative demarcation that explores the social dimension of science and technology, effectively. Whatever science is, it can be ascertained that it is in no way inferior to that of globalized people's science. It presents an alternative notion that goes beyond the boundaries of cold, hard facts of science and instead projects it in a different light, such as a manifestation of shared experience forging solidarity over communities.
• Science and results


  People who do not understand science are won over when the discipline is able to produce results. Science is not only discipline which is able to produce results – religion, luck, and human randomness are some of its contemporaries in the field. For some communities without access to science, they can turn to divination and superstition and still get the same results. Science is not entirely foolproof, such that it is correct 100% of the time. Science does not monopolize the claim for definite results.
• Science as education


  In the Philippines, a large distribution of science high schools can be found all over the country, forging competition for aspiring students to secure a slot and undergo rigorous science and mathematics training based on specialized curricula. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) offered in schools accommodating grades 11 and 12. If one is really in pursuit of human flourishing, it would make sense for them to pursue it holistically. Aristotle's eudaimonic person is required to be knowledgeable about science, among other things of equal importance. A true eudaimon recognizes that flourishing requires one to excel in various dimensions, such as linguistic, kinetic, artistic, and socio-civic, thus one should not focus on one aspect alone.
• How much is too much?

  In 2000, world leaders signed the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), which states that they should be able to forge a global partnership for development. Economists believe that growth is the primary indicator of development. Technology has been a primary instrument in enabling them to pursue the goal, utilizing resources, machineries, and labor. Growth presents an illusionary notion of sustainability – the world's resources can only provide so much, it cannot be expected to stretch out for everybody's consumption over a long period of time. Growth is not infinite. If the MDG convention's intent was to get everyone in the growth ship, that ship will surely sink before leaving the port. Joseph Hickel suggested that developed countries should not push forth more growth but instead adopt "de-development" policies or else, everybody loses. The rapid pace of technological growth allows no room for nature to recuperate, resulting in exploitation and irreversible damages to nature.
• Technology as a way of revealing

  "Generation gap" - For those who are not familiar with the products of science and technology (older people)
• The human condition before common era

  Early ancestors' primal need to survive utilize abundant materials for their own ease and comfort. Technology have started when motivation to make things easier has been around since human era. Homo erectus have been using fire to cook, through chipping one flint over the other to produce a spark, without realizing the laws of friction and heat. Tools from stone and flints marked the era of the Stone Age, during the advent of Homo sapiens. Humans began to sharpen stones as one would a knife; an example of this is the simple machine called wedge. There is little to no written accounts except for several cave drawings and unearthed artifacts that narrate how their culture came to be. It proves that there is little capacity for our ancestors to contemplate and perceive things outside themselves in a more reflective manner. Several excavations in different parts of Europe of miniature statues prevalent during the Paleolithic period, the so-called "Venus" figure. It depicts a rudimentary carving of a voluptuous woman out of ivory or stone. People discovered minerals and began forging metalwork. Fur clothing and animal skin are primarily used for comfort against harsh winds. They begin to cover themselves up out of necessity, and gradually, added several more to their garments. Some are found at excavation sites are reminiscent of early accessories, suggesting that our ancestors have been deeply engaged in the concept of beauty. They had taken a liking to a certain shiny stone, or a perfectly shaped bone, and wanted to wear it as a trophy. Excavations on the latter half of the Stone Age include several figures thought to be ceremonial, people of the time had also painstakingly wrought and hewed said figures in honor of some deity. The initial roster of primitive gods includes objects they encounter through their day-to-day lives, so different tribes may have different gods. Elephants and mammoths awed by their size and worshiped them as the owner of the land, asking for blessings in their hunting ground; or they might have hunted the mammoths for their woolly coat and meat for the entire community. They had a mountain god to explain wind currents and ask for provisions. They had water gods they referred to when asking for a good catch. Other people of prior civilizations shared several generic gods, such as the Sun. Our ancestors found the need to explain things in a way that makes sense to them. They quickly realized that there are events outside of their control and attempted to justify things as being work of a supernatural being. Religion remains to be the strongest contender to science arguably due to its being the most easily grasped.
• The human condition in the common era

  Earliest case of man-made extinction occurred over 12,000 years ago, brought upon by hunting and territorial disputes. The Holocene extinction, also called the Sixth Extinction or more aptly Anthropocene Extinction, occurred from as early as between 100,000 to 200,000 years up to the present. Ongoing extinction of several species – both flora and fauna – due to human activity. Growing population necessitated finding additional resources, leading to overhunting and overfishing common prey. Albeit waging wars 5,000 years ago with other tribes seemed to be the early solution, they were able to find out some that engaging in a peaceful negotiation was also a possible and less bloody method. They could get hold of things not present in their towns by offering something of same value present in theirs. Trade emerged, leading to cross-town and eventually cross-cultural interaction as more products were exchanged and the initial needs extended to wants. They perceived that those who have many, live comfortably and thus are generally happier than those who do not have sufficient wealth. They began to hunt, farm, and produce thing with prospect of profit. Products of every kind were exchanged, ranging from necessary ones such as crops, cattle, poultry, others of kind, and clothing materials, up to metals, accessories, weapons, spices, literature, and entertainment. When they could not sell products, they used their skills and got compensated for it – bringing forth a specialized group of artisans. Humanity became more complex. The primary was not merely to survive, but to live the good life. Technology has been instrumental in searching for the good life because people were able to come up with creations that would make life easier, more comfortable, and more enriching. Medicine was born, although it would take a considerably long time before it part ways with potion.
• The human condition before and after the common era

  The humans of today are much better off compared to humans several centuries ago. Mortality rate is lower due to technology, lesser women and children die during birth, assuring robust population and strong workforce. Average lifespan is longer as people engage less in combat and are less likely to die in treatable diseases by enhancing living status and discovering different remedies to most diseases. Distribution of medicines made easier and faster.
• RINGING


  A specialized group of artisans
• Humanity became more complex
• The primary was not merely to survive, but to live the good life
• Technology has been instrumental in searching for the good life because people were able to come up with creations that would make life easier, more comfortable, and more enriching
• Medicine was born, although it would take a considerably long time before it part ways with potion
• The humans of today are much better off compared to humans several centuries ago
• Notable comparisons then and now

  • Mortality rate
  • Average lifespan
  • Literacy rate
  • Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
• Mortality rate


  Due to technology, lesser women and children die during birth, assuring robust population and strong workforce
• Average lifespan


  People engage less in combat and are less likely to die in treatable diseases by enhancing living status and discovering different remedies to most diseases<|>Distribution of medicines made easier and faster
• Literacy rate


  Access to education provided to more individuals generally creates a more informed public that could determine a more just society
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP)


  Often used to determine the value of the country's goods and services produced within the territory given a certain time period<|>Higher country income is brought upon by high productivity, and indicator of presence of technology
• We are more "developed" than we were before
• Modern humans are reliant on technology in their search for the good life
• Technology


  Its essence, or purpose, and being are different from each other<|>It can either be perceived as first, a means to achieve man's end and second, that which constitutes human activity
• Technology allows humans to confront the unknown and see how they would react
• As long as humans are invested in growth and development, we cannot distance ourselves from this perspective
• We view the world as a field of resources, begin to categorize nature as renewable and non-renewable instead of seeing it as it is
• Good life


  A life which is practical in essence; a life which makes use of our labor and which we get compensated fairly upon
• Since humans appear not to really know what they are seeking for, the search continues
• The path we are treading will not take us to the right direction, leading us in endless circles in our pursuit of the good life
• This is the danger presented by too much reliance on technology
• Humans lose track of things that matter, reducing their surroundings to their economic value
• After all, it was science and technology that gave us explanations, which worked for us and benefited us
• It will be absurd to venture the dark and the unknown, but it should be done in order for us to retrace our steps to be able to achieve the good
• Human condition improved, only if by improving we measure the level of comfort, various scientific breakthroughs, and improved lifestyles of those who had the luxury to afford to do so
• Some places in the world are still battling for their daily survival
• People still wage wars on the basis of races, belief, and abundance of resources and/or territory
• Whether science or religion, people are still bent on trying to make sense of the events happening in the world on the basis of either of these two paradigms
• People are still trying to make sense of their existence in the world, and technology does little to aid them in their pursuit of life's meaning
• Technology offered us one compelling notion of the truth and the good, we should be staunch in our resolve if we want to know the real one